ICYMI: Senator Murray Focused on Lower Costs, Outlines Priorities Ahead of SOTU – More HERE
Constituents from across Washington state joined Senator Murray as virtual guests for a Twitter Live discussion ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union Address
***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY’S TWITTER LIVE HERE***
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) held a Twitter Live to discuss some of the top issues for families with four State of the Union guests from across the state. During the conversation, Senator Murray highlighted how major Democratic accomplishments like the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have helped families in Washington state, and reiterated her work to lower costs for families and build an economy where everyone can succeed, not just those at the very top.
“If you’re a parent like McKyndree or Alicia—you’ve been struggling to figure out school and work and child care and keeping everyone safe, with the ground constantly shifting under you,” said Senator Murray. “Working families need Congress to be in their corner, which is why I’m fighting for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest Americans and the giant corporations. That’s especially true coming out of this pandemic. And that’s why one of my very top priorities in Congress right now is passing legislation that is going to lower everyday costs for working people in a big way.
“Because one of the things we really saw is that while workers and families lost jobs, income, and stability, huge corporations and the very wealthiest actually did even better than before,” continued Senator Murray. “Major corporations ended 2021 with record profits and the top one percent of Americans got richer over the course of the pandemic, while people doing their own grocery shopping and pumping their own gas are finding their money doesn’t go as far as it did. Not to mention child care, health coverage, prescription drugs, education—it all adds up, way too fast. It just should not be so expensive for working people to raise a family, and do the things you want to do, in our country—and I am going to keep working to make sure it isn’t.”
Senator Murray was joined by McKyndree Rogers from Spokane, Alicia Pacheco from Pierce County, Tanisha Harris from Vancouver, and Dr. Sue Kane from Wenatchee.
McKyndree Rogers from Spokane is a mom and early learning professional who underscored the urgent need to invest in child care. When her kids were under five years old, she couldn’t find any child care or preschool that she could afford. She now works at a state-funded preschool, and recognizes the importance of the program for the students and their families—but she also knows many kids are missing out like hers did because programs don’t have enough space.
“As a mom of two and an early childhood professional, I know firsthand that our child care system isn’t working for parents or providers, and how that hurts kids, families, businesses and our economy,” said McKyndree Rogers. “When my kids were born, I couldn’t afford any child care or early learning opportunities for them, and relied on help from family to keep working. Today, I work full-time for an early learning program but I don’t make a living wage, and I had to take a second job so I can afford the basics like food and clothes for my own kids. The pandemic has brought new challenges and it’s more urgent than ever that we solve the child care crisis so parents like me can go to work, providers can keep their doors open and all kids can get a strong start to their education. I’m grateful for Senator Murray’s leadership on this issue and for the opportunity to share my story.”
Senator Murray’s child care and preschool policy proposals would dramatically lower child care costs for the vast majority of working families in Washington state and across the country, dramatically increase the number of child care providers in Washington state, raise child care workers’ wages, and offer parents the option of free pre-K for three-and-four-year olds. Under Murray’s proposal, no family of four in Washington state making less than $254,000 would spend more than 7% of their income on child care, with many spending even less or nothing at all. Senator Murray was also instrumental in securing $40 billion in child care relief, including $635 million for Washington state, as part of the American Rescue Plan.
Alicia Pacheco from Pierce County is a mother of four who immigrated to Washington state from Mexico, and has been living in Pierce County with her husband for the past six years. During the Twitter Live, Alicia highlighted what an important difference the Child Tax Credit made for her family.
“The Child Tax Credit has made a world of difference for me and my family—helping us pay our bills, put food on the table, buy clothes for our kids, and so much more,” said Alicia Pacheco. “Being able to pay for the basic essentials, to have that extra breathing room was so important to us. That’s why we need leaders like Senator Murray to keep fighting to extend the Child Tax Credit.”
As the Assistant Democratic Leader, Senator Murray was instrumental in shepherding the American Rescue Plan through the Senate, which expanded the Child Tax Credit and put money in the pockets of millions of families across the country. Senator Murray has stressed the importance of making the expanded Child Tax Credit permanent, and has been working to get the word out about the credit to every eligible family in Washington state. Last March, Senator Murray penned an op-ed on the need for the expanded Child Tax Credit’s extension and other American Rescue Plan provisions for Washington state families.
Tanisha Harris from Vancouver has worked for the Evergreen School District in the field of multicultural and diversity education at Heritage High School and the District Office. Currently, Tanisha works as a Hope Advocate for the Vancouver School District, advocating for homeless and unaccompanied youth. Her current position was funded and made possible by funds from the American Rescue Plan.
“The HOPE program of the Vancouver School District is proud to partner with local agencies to increase awareness and visibility and provide resources to our homeless and unaccompanied youth,” said Tanisha Harris. “Continued funding and support from the federal government and public/private partnerships will ensure these students educational needs are met.”
Last year, Senator Murray held a roundtable with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), and students from across the country who have experienced homelessness. During the roundtable, Murray reiterated her commitment to ensure students experiencing homelessness not only get enrolled in school, but also receive the support and stability they need to succeed in the classroom. Along with the roundtable, and the Department of Education announced plans to distribute $12,134,870 to Washington state and $800 million nationally to help support the needs of students experiencing homelessness under the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) fund. Senator Murray also authored provisions of the American Rescue Plan to ensure K-12 relief funding was set aside for helping students catch back up academically.
Dr. Sue Kane from Wenatchee is an advocate for policies to support educators and ensure all students have an opportunity to attain a high quality education. She has worked to support educators and young people, with a particular focus in getting them connected to high-speed internet.
“I first met Senator Murray back in 2019 when she introduced the Digital Equity Act,” said Dr. Sue Kane. “We didn’t even realize at that time the vital importance of that bill, and now that it’s been passed into law, we are beyond grateful for the wisdom and provisions that the Senator included to make sure that families in rural communities across Central Washington had access to high-speed internet. A reliable and affordable broadband connection is essential for all families across Washington State and thanks to Senator Murray’s work we’re going to be able to make sure that no one is left behind.”
Last year, Murray helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes her landmark Digital Equity Act, to help close the digital divide by funding activities that seek to provide individuals and communities with the skills, support, and technologies necessary to take full advantage of a broadband internet connection once they have access to one. Senator Murray first introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, and worked hard to build a robust coalition of 100+ organizations to secure strong, bipartisan consensus and support for the bill. Murray has frequently discussed how major investments from both the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are helping expand access to high-speed internet for Washington state families and lowering costs for consumers.
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